TGIF on Sunday night

This was one of those days that was just hard. Period. We visited a new-to-us parish this morning, which was fun because we knew several others there. I couldn't sketch very well so my line drawings look particularly clumsy and flat -- especially Beulie who was sleeping in her usual tight circle at my feet. I love to draw her but today she came out looking more like a rubber stamp!

This evening our daughter celebrated her birthday again since her real birthday fell on Easter Day. She invited ten disabled adult friends from her day program and we all feasted on pizza and birthday cake at a nearby restaurant where we go every year for the same occasion. I find this event to be quite stressful. I want everyone to have a good time but I'm not familiar with each of their conditions and am not sure how to be helpful -- whether to jump in or stay out. I lack in patience. Still and all, there was much laughter and a general lightness to the event and everyone SAID they had a good time. I know they loved meeting Beulie.

Before we left for the restaurant I began the pencil foundation for the entire Van Gogh painting that I'm working on. Just for the practice I decided to grid my paper and the reproduction that I'm working from and draw the lines, square by square. I didn't get very far but it has already been helpful. The first thing I noticed is that I perceive lines as much longer than they are. Over and over again I had to erase because I came to the end of a square but the "real" painting showed that the line didn't extend nearly that far. I hope this improves my overall ability after I've learned to sight things better or find a way to adjust for my misperceptions.